It’s a question that’s led many a curious mind to explore texts outside the Torah itself.
Today, let's dive into Chapter 9 of the Book of Jasher, a fascinating, albeit non-canonical, Hebrew text that fills in some of those blanks. It offers us a glimpse into Abraham's early life and the world around him. Remember, the Book of Jasher isn't considered sacred scripture in mainstream Judaism, but it's a rich source of legend and lore, offering a unique perspective.
So, what was going on? According to Jasher, Haran, Abraham's older brother, was starting a family. Haran was 39 when he married, and his wife bore him Lot, and daughters Milca and Sarai (who, of course, would later become Sarah). Interestingly, Jasher tells us Sarai was born when Haran was 42, which was the tenth year of Abraham’s life.
And where was our young Abraham during all this? Well, after his little run-in with King Nimrod (as we read in the previous chapter), Abraham and his mother and nurse emerged from their cave hiding place. The king and his court, it seems, had forgotten all about him.
The Book of Jasher then tells us that Abraham went to live with Noah and his son Shem. Yes, that Noah! He remained there for 39 years, learning about God and His ways. Imagine being mentored by Noah himself! No one knew where Abraham was, says the text, and he served Noah and Shem faithfully. This period was crucial, shaping his understanding of the divine.
But the world outside was in a spiritual freefall. Jasher paints a picture of widespread idolatry. People had forgotten the Lord and were worshipping gods of wood and stone – gods that couldn't speak, hear, or deliver. Even Terah, Abraham's own father, was a major idol merchant, having twelve large idols representing the twelve months of the year, to which he'd bring offerings monthly. As we find in Jasher, "Terah with all his household were then the first of those that served gods of wood and stone."
In a world steeped in idol worship, Abraham stood apart. The text emphasizes that almost no one knew the Lord, except for Noah, his family, and those under his counsel. And young Abraham, growing in wisdom and understanding, realized the futility of idol worship. The Book of Jasher says, "The Lord gave Abram an understanding heart, and he knew all the works of that generation were vain, and that all their gods were vain and were of no avail."
There's a beautiful passage describing Abraham's initial, almost scientific, search for God. He observes the sun, thinking it might be God, but then realizes it sets. He then looks to the moon and stars, wondering if they hold the answer. Ultimately, he understands that these celestial bodies are servants of a greater power. This resonates with similar stories found in the Midrash, highlighting Abraham's intellectual and spiritual journey toward monotheism.
But the narrative doesn't end with Abraham’s spiritual awakening. The Book of Jasher then shifts to another well-known story: the Tower of Babel. King Nimrod, secure in his reign, united the people, who were all of one language and purpose.
Nimrod's princes and great men, including Phut, Mitzraim, Cush, and Canaan, conspired to build a city and a tower that would reach heaven. Their motivations were threefold, according to Jasher: some wanted to wage war against God, others wanted to place their own gods in heaven, and still others wanted to attack God with bows and spears! Bold, arrogant, and ultimately, doomed.
They gathered a massive workforce, about six hundred thousand men, and found a suitable valley in the land of Shinar. The construction was a major undertaking. The text emphasizes the sheer scale of the project, noting that it took a full year for materials to reach the builders at the top!
But their hubris angered God. The Book of Jasher vividly describes how God confused their languages. Imagine the chaos! One minute you're asking for mortar, the next you're being pelted with bricks because no one understands you. "And from that day following, they forgot each man his neighbor's tongue…and when the builder took from the hands of his neighbor lime or stone which he did not order, the builder would cast it away and throw it upon his neighbor, that he would die."
God then punished the builders according to their intentions. Those who wanted to serve other gods were transformed into apes and elephants (a rather… creative punishment!). Those who wanted to attack heaven were killed by their neighbors. And those who wanted to fight God were scattered across the earth.
The city was named Babel, meaning "confusion," because there God confounded the language of the whole earth. And the tower? A third was swallowed by the earth, a third was consumed by fire, and the remaining third stood as a testament to their folly.
So, what does this all mean? Chapter 9 of the Book of Jasher gives us a richer, more detailed backdrop to the familiar stories of Abraham and the Tower of Babel. It highlights Abraham’s unique spiritual journey in a world consumed by idolatry and sets the stage for his pivotal role in the unfolding narrative of the Hebrew Bible. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of human arrogance and the futility of trying to challenge the divine. It’s a reminder that true understanding comes not from building towers to the heavens, but from seeking the one God with an open heart.